Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-01-14


he was tempted to regret that he had left
his comfortable rooms in Torrington
square, Bloomsbury; hut in his calmer
moments he reflected that at least he was
occupying a different position from that
of the rest of his fellow clerks.
The chief man in Turin, so far as
Hodgson. Dunford & Parr were con-
cerned. was certain Count Marsoni
The count S nobility did not prevent his
being the principle member of large
firm of merchants and shipowners. To
cultivate this man was. indeed. the chief
reason of Mr.. Hodgson's journey to
Turin: and. as the old banker knew very
well how to lay aside his crusty and
pompous manner when it suited his book
to do so. he soon came to be not unfre-
quent guest at the Villa Marsoni.
Mr.. Hodgson began TO see that there
was a very fair opening for an English
bank at Turin. and he was still engaged
in pushing his way here and there. when
he received news that his wife was Sc
riouslv ill. This made him hurry off to
England. leaving Mathers behind him to
complete a transaction which he had al
ready practically arranged.
Delighted at being left to represent the
firm, for ever SO short time. and ever
so formal matter. Mathews was pacing
one day down the principal street of the
city with Il look of considerable import
ance ON his face when he met Count Mar
SOM. The count stopped and asked after
the old banker. when Tommy proudly
Informed him that he had returned to
England. leaving him in charge of the
affairs of the firm.
"Ah indeed. Well, there's little
matter wanted to speak of To him"
Il shall be happy to serve you, count, "
said Tommy in his very best Italian.
"Well, suppose you dine with us to-
night. and we can talk it over after dim
ner. returned the count, who thought
he ought to show little attention to the
lonely Englishman.
OF course the invitation was accepted,
and Tommy had no sooner entered the
drawing room at the Villa Marsoni than
he lost his heart at once, irrevocablv and
forever. Maria Marsoni was, indeed,
beautiful and vivacious enough to have
turned the head of a wiser and colder
blooded man than Tommy Mathers: and
SO ready was he to amuse her by his
efforts to speak a language that he par
tally knew that he won more favor III
the maiden's eyes than many a more
brilliant talker would have done. Such
an impression. indeed. did the signOrna
bright eyes make upon Tommy suscep
tible heart that he was barely able to give
due attention to the count. when after
dinner. he began to talk of bills, discount,
mortgages and debentures.
Time went on: Mr.. IIodgson did not
return to Turin. and Mr.. Mathers paid
several visits to the count 5 residence,
coming away more in love every time.
Meanwhile. by dint of going about con-
tinually among the citizens. the young
man was able to send home SO good list
of prospective customers that the partners
determined to establish branch office at
Turin, and offer young Mathers subor-
dinate post III 1t.
Nothing definite, however. had been
fixed, when one day Tommy finding
Maria Marsoni alone when he called at
the villa. lost his head completely, and
was making love as well as his imperfect
knowledge Of Italian permitted, when
the count. suddenly coming in. caught
him in the act of kissing his daughters
hand.
Maria fled like hare disturbed on her
form. and the count advanced with
heavy frown on his aristocratic brow.
More as matter of form than any
thing else, for he knew his case was hope
less, Mathers formally asked the hand
of the signorina i'll marriage, laying the
blame of his irregular declaration on the
strength of his passion and his ignorance
of Italian etiquette.
The count heard him to the end, and
then surveyed him from head to foot
with look of contempt.
1T is a piece of gross presumption in
you-a mere clerk, nobody-to address
my daughter" said the count at last in
English, with his chin in the air.
'Of course said Tommy bitterly,
stung by the count S look. If l were a
partner in Hodgson's, though, you would
give me different answer"
If you were partner in Messrs.
Hodgson, Dunford & PARIS" said the
count, with an altered expression, ''that
would make a difference of course; but
as l do not understand that you have any
prospect of entering that firm, don't see
how that affects you"
Tommy sighed, and made his escape as
soon as possible. He knew that he might
as well ask for the lord CHARACTERISTIC as
ask for partnership i'll the bank.
For two days he remained in a state Of
collapse and then he received advices
from London informing him of the de-
cision to which the firm had come with
respect TO the new branch. \ few
months before Mathers would have been
transported with delight at the proposal
which the firm made to him; but now he
considered that he was getting barely his
due. and, besides, he was so cut up with
respect to the beautiful Maria that mere
commercial matters did not possess their
usual interest for him.
Suddenly, as he sat with the open let
ter bearing the well known signature be-
fore him, Tommy conceived an idea.
Without IA moments delay he called
for his bill at the hotel, sent a waiter for
cab and took the first train northward.
He arrived at Victoria early in the morn
ing, went to a hotel, washed and dressed